U.S. patent application number 12/410257 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for windshield wiper blade structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Unipoint Electric MFG, Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to CHING CHUAN CHIEN.
Application Number | 20100242204 12/410257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42782338 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100242204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHIEN; CHING CHUAN |
September 30, 2010 |
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE STRUCTURE
Abstract
A windshield wiper blade structure includes a support strip, a
wiper strip disposed below the support strip, two flexible strips
set on two sides of the wiper strip, a set of clamping elements
downward extended through holes formed on the support strip to
clamp the support strip, the flexible strips and the wiper strip
together, two wind deflector strips disposed on a top of the
support strip, two elastic locking elements each including two
elastic arms separately fitted near two opposite ends of the
support strip, and two end caps detachably connected to the two
ends of the support strip and each internally provided with two
notches engaged with the elastic arms. By compressing the elastic
arms toward each other to disengage them from the notches, the end
caps can be removed from the support strip to allow replacement of
the wiper strip with a new one.
Inventors: |
CHIEN; CHING CHUAN; (Taipei
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WPAT, PC;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ATTORNEYS
2030 MAIN STREET, SUITE 1300
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Assignee: |
Unipoint Electric MFG, Co.,
Ltd.
Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
42782338 |
Appl. No.: |
12/410257 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/250.201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60S 1/3881 20130101;
B60S 1/381 20130101; B60S 2001/382 20130101; B60S 1/3891
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/250.201 |
International
Class: |
B60S 1/32 20060101
B60S001/32 |
Claims
1. A windshield wiper blade structure, comprising: a support strip;
a wiper strip being disposed on a first face of the support strip;
a set of wind deflector strips being disposed on a second face of
the support strip opposite to the wiper strip; and a binding
component; wherein the binding component is pressed to fitted into
two longitudinally opposite end of the support strip, and then the
binding component is released to its original state so as to lock
the binding component into the two longitudinally opposite ends of
the support strip.
2. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the binding component includes a pair of elastic locking
elements and a pair of end caps; each of the elastic locking
elements including two elastic arms being fixed to two opposite
lateral sides of the support strip near one of the two
longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip, and each of the
end caps being configured for detachably connecting to one of the
two longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip; whereby by
compressing the two elastic arms toward each other to thereby move
the elastic arms into the corresponding end cap and then releasing
the elastic arms to allow them to expand outward, the elastic arms
can engage with the end cap to lock the same in place.
3. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 2,
wherein each of the end caps is provided at predetermined positions
with two notches, and the released elastic arms of each of the
elastic locking elements are extending into the notches to engage
therewith.
4. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 3,
wherein each of the end caps includes a main body and a shell
covering the main body; and the notches are formed on an inner side
of the shell.
5. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 4,
wherein a space is formed between each of two opposite lateral
sides of the main body and the inner side of the shell, and the
space is larger than a thickness of each of the elastic arms.
6. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 5,
wherein the elastic arms each have a free edge being further
extended to provide a push portion, such that the push portions are
projected from the notches when the elastic arms are extended into
and engaged with the notches.
7. A windshield wiper blade structure, comprising: a support strip;
a wiper strip being disposed on a first face of the support strip;
a set of wind deflector strips being disposed on a second face of
the support strip opposite to the wiper strip; and a binding
component, which includes: a pair of elastic locking elements being
fixed to two opposite lateral sides of the support strip near two
longitudinally opposite ends thereof; and a pair of end caps being
detachably connected to the two longitudinally opposite ends of the
support strip; whereby, by compressing the two elastic locking
elements to deform them and then releasing them, the elastic
locking elements can restore to an original state thereof and
become engaged with the end caps to lock the end caps thereto.
8. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 7,
wherein each of the elastic locking elements has two downward
extended lateral sides to form two elastic arms, and each of the
two end caps is provided on an inner side with two notches
corresponding to the two elastic arms; whereby by compressing the
two elastic arms toward each other to thereby move the elastic arms
into the corresponding end cap and then releasing the elastic arms
to allow them to expand outward, the elastic arms can be engaged
with the notches on the end cap.
9. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 7,
wherein the support strip is provided with a longitudinally
extended long slit, one of two opposite ends of the long slit
extending through one end of the two ends of the support strip to
forms an open end, and the other end of the long slit ending near
the other end of the support strip without extending therethrough,
so that a stopper portion is formed at the other end of the support
strip.
10. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 7,
wherein the support strip has an expanded through hole and a
longitudinally extended long slit provided thereon; the long slit
having two ends extending toward the two longitudinally opposite
ends of the support strip without extending therethrough, while one
of the two ends of the long slit being communicating with the
expanded through hole; and wherein an upper part of the wiper strip
is longitudinally set in the long slit.
11. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 7,
wherein the set of wind deflector strips includes two wind
deflector strips, and each of the two wind deflector strips has a
plurality of guide rails being separately formed at two lower
lateral edges thereof, so that the wiper strip is connected to the
wind deflector strips by inserting an upper part of the wiper strip
into and between the two guide rails.
12. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 7,
wherein the set of wind deflector strips includes two wind
deflector strips, and each of the two wind deflector strips has a
longitudinally extended insertion channel, into which the support
strip is inserted.
13. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 8,
wherein each of the end caps includes a main body and a shell
covering the main body therein, and the notches are formed on an
inner side of the shell.
14. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 13,
wherein a space is formed between each of two opposite lateral
sides of the main body and the shell, and the space is larger than
a thickness of each of the elastic arms.
15. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 8,
wherein the elastic arms each have a free edge being further
extended to provide a push portion, such that the push portions are
projected from the notches when the elastic arms are extended into
and engaged with the notches.
16. A windshield wiper blade structure, comprising: a support strip
being formed with a plurality of holes; a wiper strip being
disposed on a first face of the support strip; a set of flexible
strips being set on two opposite lateral sides of the wiper strip;
a set of clamping elements being extended through the plurality of
holes on the support strip to thereby clamp the support strip, the
flexible strips and the wiper strip together to form an integral
body; a set of wind deflector strips being disposed on a second
face of the support strip opposite to the wiper strip; and a
binding component; wherein the binding component can be compressed
to deform, so as to be fitted to two longitudinally opposite ends
of the support strip, and the binding component can be then
released to restore to its original state and become locked to the
two longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip.
17. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 16,
wherein the binding component includes a pair of elastic locking
elements and a pair of end caps; each of the elastic locking
elements including two elastic arms being fixed to two opposite
lateral sides of the support strip near one of the two
longitudinally opposite ends thereof, and each of the end caps
being configured for detachably connecting to one of the two
longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip; whereby by
compressing the two elastic arms toward each other to thereby move
the elastic arms into the corresponding end cap and then releasing
the elastic arms to allow them to expand outward, the elastic arms
can engage with the end cap to lock the same in place.
18. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 17,
wherein each of the end caps is provided at predetermined positions
with two notches, and the released elastic arms of each of the
elastic locking elements are extending into the notches to engage
therewith.
19. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 18,
wherein each of the end caps includes a main body and a shell
covering the main body; and the notches are formed on an inner side
of the shell.
20. The windshield wiper blade structure as claimed in claim 19,
wherein a space is formed between each of two opposite lateral
sides of the main body and the inner side of the shell, and the
space is larger than a thickness of each of the elastic arms.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper blade
structure, and more particularly to a windshield wiper blade
structure that allows a user to easily replace a wiper strip
thereof with a new one.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A windshield wiper structure is usually installed close to a
windshield of a motor vehicle, and a wiper blade thereof is driven
to swing back and forth within a generally sector-shaped wiping
area. The wiper blade has a wiper strip made of a rubber material
for wiping off deposited dust or water, such as wiping accumulated
rainwater or snow from the windshield.
[0003] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional
windshield wiper blade structure; and FIG. 2 is a fragmentary,
enlarged and assembled sectional view of the conventional
windshield wiper blade structure of FIG. 1. As shown, the
conventional windshield wiper blade structure includes a support
strip 11, two wind deflector strips 12 disposed on a top of the
support strip 11, a wiper strip 13 disposed on a bottom of the
support strip 11, two end caps 14 fitted to two longitudinally
opposite ends of the associated support strip 11 and wiper strip
13, a bracket 15, and a protective cover 16 covering the bracket
15. The support strip 11 is provided near each of the two opposite
ends thereof with an elastic hooking portion 111, which is formed
by punching with a free end upward projecting from the top of the
support strip 11 at an inclination to provide a degree of
elasticity. Each of the end cap 14 is internally provided at a
predetermined position with a notch 141 corresponding to the
elastic hooking portion 111, such that when the end cap 14 is
fitted onto one end of the support strip 11, the notch 141 is
engaged with the elastic hooking portion 111 to thereby hold the
end cap 14 to the end of support strip 11 and the wiper strip 13 to
the bottom of the support strip 11. With these arrangements, the
wiper strip 13 is prevented from sliding off the support strip 11.
The windshield wiper blade structure can be detachably connected to
a wiper bracket provided on the motor vehicle, and driven to swing
back and forth on the windshield to wipe off rainwater. After
having been swung back and forth on the windshield to wipe off
rainwater or snow over a long period of time, the wiper strip 13
tends to become deformed or damaged due to elastic fatigue and must
be replaced with a new one. In the above described conventional
windshield wiper blade structure, the end caps 14 are not
detachable from the support strip 11 once they are engaged with the
elastic hooking portions 111. The wiper strip 13 can be removed
from the support strip 11 only when the end caps 14 and the elastic
hooking portions 111 are destroyed to separate the end caps 14 from
the ends of the support strip 11. That is, when the wiper strip 13
is aged or damaged, the whole set of the conventional windshield
wiper blade structure must be replaced. This is of course not
economical to do so.
[0004] In addition, since the support strip 11 is made of a
relatively tough material and has a relatively large thickness, it
is uneasy to punch the support strip 11 at two ends thereof to form
the two elastic hooking portions 111. Thus, the conventional
windshield wiper blade structure is manufactured at increased
cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to
provide a windshield wiper blade structure that allows a user to
easily replace a wiper strip thereof with a new one, so as to
overcome the problem of requiring high cost to replace a whole set
of windshield wiper blade when a wiper strip thereof is aged or
damaged, as found in the prior art.
[0006] To achieve the above and other objects, the windshield wiper
blade structure according to an embodiment of the present invention
includes a support strip; a wiper strip being disposed on a first
face of the support strip; a set of wind deflector strips being
disposed on a second face of the support strip opposite to the
wiper strip; and a binding component.
[0007] The binding component can be compressed to deform, so as to
be fitted to two longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip,
and the binding component can be then released to restore to its
original state and become locked to the two longitudinally opposite
ends of the support strip.
[0008] The windshield wiper blade structure according to another
embodiment of the present invention includes a support strip being
formed with a plurality of holes; a wiper strip being disposed on a
first face of the support strip; a set of flexible strips being set
on two opposite lateral sides of the wiper strip; a set of clamping
elements being extended through the plurality of holes on the
support strip to thereby clamp the support strip, the flexible
strips and the wiper strip together to form an integral body; a set
of wind deflector strips being disposed on a second face of the
support strip opposite to the wiper strip; and a binding component.
The binding component can be compressed to deform, so as to be
fitted to two longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip,
and the binding component can be then released to restore to its
original state and become locked to the two longitudinally opposite
ends of the support strip.
[0009] The binding component includes a pair of elastic locking
elements and a pair of end caps. Each of the elastic locking
elements includes a pair of elastic arms being fixed to two
opposite lateral sides of the support strip near one of the two
longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip, and each of the
end caps is configured for detachably connecting to one of the two
longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip. By compressing
the two elastic arms toward each other to thereby move the elastic
arms into the corresponding end cap and then releasing the elastic
arms to allow them to expand outward, the elastic arms can engage
with the end cap to lock the same in place.
[0010] The windshield wiper blade structure according to a further
embodiment of the present invention includes a set of support
strips, a wiper strip, a set of wind deflector strips, a set of
elastic locking elements, and a set of end caps. The wiper strip is
provided at two opposite lateral sides with a plurality of grooves
each, and the set of support strips is set in two oppositely
corresponding grooves. The set of wind deflector strips is disposed
on one face of the support strips. Each of the elastic locking
elements includes two elastic arms, and is fixed to one of two
longitudinally opposite ends of the set of support strips. Each of
the end caps is internally provided with two notches corresponding
to the two elastic arms of the elastic locking element, and is
detachably fitted to one of the two longitudinally opposite ends of
the set of support strips. By compressing the two elastic arms
toward each other to allow fitting of the end cap on one end of the
set of support strips and then releasing the elastic arms to allow
them to expand outward, the elastic arms can be engaged with the
notches on the end cap.
[0011] The windshield wiper blade structure according to a still
further embodiment of the present invention includes a support
strip, a wiper strip, a set of wind deflector strips, a set of
elastic locking elements, and a set of end caps. The wiper strip is
disposed on one face of the support strip, and the set of wind
deflector strips is disposed on another face of the support strip
opposite to the wiper strip. Each of the elastic locking elements
includes two elastic arms, and is fixed to one of two
longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip. Each of the end
caps is internally provided with two notches corresponding to the
two elastic arms of one elastic locking element. By compressing the
two elastic arms toward each other to allow fitting of the end cap
on one end of the support strip and then releasing the elastic arms
to allow them to expand outward, the elastic arms can be engaged
with the notches on the end cap. The support strip is provided with
a long slit, an end of which extends through one end of the support
strip to form an open end, and the other end of the long slit
extends toward the other end of the support strip without extending
therethrough, so that a stopper portion is formed at the other end
of the support strip.
[0012] With the above arrangements, the end caps can be connected
to or removed from two longitudinally opposite ends of the support
strip simply by compressing the two elastic arms on each of the
elastic locking elements toward each other and then releasing the
two elastic arms, enabling a user to easily remove the damaged or
aged wiper strip from the support strip for replacement without the
need of discarding a whole set of the windshield wiper blade
structure. Therefore, the maintenance and repair cost can be
reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present
invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best
understood by referring to the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings,
wherein
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional
windshield wiper blade structure;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged and assembled sectional
view of the conventional windshield wiper blade structure of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a windshield wiper
blade structure according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the
windshield wiper blade structure of FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an inner structure of a
first embodiment of an end cap for the windshield wiper blade
structure of FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a first manner of connecting the end cap to an
end of a support strip for the windshield wiper blade structure of
FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a second manner of connecting the end cap to an
end of the support strip for the windshield wiper blade structure
of FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 8 shows how the end cap is locked to the support strip
via an elastic locking element;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an inner structure of a
second embodiment of the end cap for the windshield wiper blade
structure of FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a windshield
wiper blade structure according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a windshield
wiper blade structure according to a third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a windshield
wiper blade structure according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a windshield
wiper blade structure according to a fifth embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The present invention will now be described with some
preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0028] Please refer to FIG. 3 that is an exploded perspective view
of a windshield wiper blade structure according to a first
embodiment of the present invention, and to FIG. 4 that is an
enlarged assembled cross-sectional view of the windshield wiper
blade structure of FIG. 3. As shown, the windshield wiper blade
structure in the first embodiment includes a support strip 21, a
wiper strip 22, two flexible strips 23, a plurality of clamping
elements 24, two wind deflector strips 25, a binding component 260,
a bracket 28, and a protective cover 29. The binding component 260
includes two elastic locking elements 26 and two end caps 27.
[0029] The support strip 21 is formed with a plurality of pairs of
holes 211 and two notched sections 212. The pairs of holes 211 are
axially equally spaced along the support strip 21 and the holes in
each of the pairs are arranged side by side on the support strip
21. The wiper strip 22 is located below the support strip 21, and
includes an elongate top plate 221 for bearing against the support
strip 21, a plurality of longitudinally extended grooves 222
correspondingly formed on each of two opposite lateral sides
thereof, and a wiping lip 223 located opposite to the top plate
221. The two flexible strips 23 are separately set in two
oppositely corresponding grooves 222 on the wiper strip 22. Each of
the clamping elements 24 has two downward extended lateral sides to
provide two L-shaped clamping arms 241. By extending the L-shaped
clamping arms 241 of each of the clamping elements 24 through one
of the pairs of holes 211 on the support strip 21 to engage free
edges of the L-shaped clamping arms 241 with another two oppositely
corresponding grooves 222 on the wiper strip 22 below the two
flexible strips 23, the support strip 21, the flexible strips 23,
and the wiper strip 22 can be clamped together to form an integral
body.
[0030] The two wind deflector strips 25 each have a wind deflecting
section 251. Two opposite parallel edges of the wind deflecting
section 251 are downward and then inward bent toward each other to
form two guide rails 252, such that a slide way 253 is defined
between the wind deflecting section 251 and the two guide rails
252. The support strip 21 can be slid along the guide rails 252
into the slide way 253, so that the wind deflector strip 25 is held
to a top of the support strip 21.
[0031] The elastic locking elements 26 each have two downward
extended elastic arms 261 separately formed at two opposite lateral
sides thereof, and are separately fitted in the two notched
sections 212 on the support strip 21.
[0032] The two end caps 27 are separately connected to two
longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip 21. FIG. 5 is a
perspective view showing an inner structure of a first embodiment
of the end caps 27. As shown, each of the end caps 27 has a main
body 271 and a shell 272 covering the main body 271. Two opposite
lateral sides of the shell 272 are downward and inward bent toward
each other, and two notches 275 are separately formed at free edges
of the inward bent lateral sides of the shell 272 corresponding to
the elastic arms 261 of the elastic locking element 26. A space 274
is formed between each of two lateral sides of the main body 271
and the shell 272. Each of the two spaces 274 is slightly larger
than a thickness of the elastic arm 261, so that the elastic arms
261 of the elastic locking element 26 can pass through the spaces
274. The two elastic arms 261 on the elastic locking element 26 can
be compressed toward each other or be released to elastically
expand outward.
[0033] The bracket 28 is disposed on the top of the support strip
21 to locate between the two wind deflector strips 25 for a wiper
arm (not shown) to pivotally connect thereto, so that the wiper arm
can drive the bracket 28 to move reciprocatingly. The protective
cover 29 is fitted on the bracket 28 to protect the bracket 28
against rust due to invasion of and corrosion by water.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows a first manner of connecting the end cap 27 to
one end of the support strip 21 according to the present invention.
Please refer to FIGS. 5 and 6 at the same time. To connect the end
cap 27 to one end of the support strip 21, first compress the two
elastic arms 261 of the locking element 26 at that end for them to
move toward each other and become aligned with the two spaces 274.
Thereafter, fit the end cap 27 on the two guide rails 252 at an
outer end of the corresponding wind deflector strip 25 and then
guide the two elastic arms 261 through the two spaces 274 to the
two notches 275, allowing the two lateral sides of the support
strip 21 to locate in the end cap 27. At this point, one end of the
already assembled support strip 21 and wind deflector strip 25 can
be smoothly set in the shell 272 of the end cap 27. Then, the
compressed elastic arms 261 are released, allowing the elastic arms
261 to elastically spring outward to thereby move into and firmly
press against the two notches 275. With the two elastic arms 261
being separately engaged with the two notches 275, the end cap 27
is fixedly held to the support strip 21, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0035] When it is desired to replace the wiper strip 22, simply
compress the two elastic arms 261 of the elastic locking element 26
at each of two ends of the support strip 21, so that the two
elastic arms 261 are moved toward each other to align with the two
spaces 274. At this point, the end cap 27 is no longer held to the
support strip 21 by the elastic arms 261, and the elastic arms 261
can be slid along the two spaces 274 to move the support strip 21
out of the end cap 27. With the support strip 21 disengaged from
the end caps 27, the wiper strip 22 can be removed from the support
strip 21 and replaced with a new one.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows a second manner of connecting the end cap 27 to
one end of the support strip 21 according to the present invention.
Please refer to FIGS. 5 and 7 at the same time. To enable easy
connection of the end cap 27 to one end of the support strip 21,
free edges of the elastic arms 261 can be further outward extended
to form a push portion 262 each, so that the push portions 262 are
projected from the notches 275 when the elastic arms 261 are
engaged with the notches 275. With the push portions 262, a user
can connect or disconnect the end cap 27 to or from the support
strip 21 using two hands without the need of any tool.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an inner structure of a
second embodiment of the end cap 27. As shown, in the second
embodiment thereof, the end cap 27 includes a main body 271 and a
shell 272 covering the main body 271. The shell 272 of the end cap
27 in the second embodiment thereof is provided at free edges of
two inward bent opposite lateral sides with a notch 275 each, an
axially rear end of which is an open end; and at two axially rear
inner corners with a clamping portion 276 each for clamping the
support strip 21 in place in the end cap 27, as shown in FIG. 9.
The main body 271 of the end cap 27 in the second embodiment
thereof is formed near one end with a recess 277. With these
arrangements, the end cap 27 can be more easily connected to or
removed from the support strip 21.
[0038] Please refer to FIG. 10 that is an exploded perspective view
of a windshield wiper blade structure according to a second
embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the
windshield wiper blade structure includes a plurality of support
strips 31, a wiper strip 32, two wind deflector strips 33, two
elastic locking elements 26 and two end caps 27, a bracket 36, and
a protective cover 37. The wiper strip 32 is correspondingly formed
at two opposite lateral sides with a plurality of longitudinally
extended grooves 321 corresponding to the support strips 31. The
support strips 31 are used to hold the wiper strip 32 and the wind
deflector strips 33 thereto. The wiper strip 32 is used to wipe
rainwater or snow off a windshield. The wind deflector strips 33
are used to guide rainwater to flow. The bracket 36 is used for a
wiper arm (not shown) to pivotally connected thereto, so that the
wiper arm can drive the support strip 31 to swing within a wiping
area. The protective cover 37 protectively covers the bracket 36.
Please refer to FIGS. 5 and 8 for the end caps 27 and to FIGS. 3
and 7 for the elastic locking elements 26 in the second embodiment
of the present invention. Since the end caps 27 and the elastic
locking elements 26 in the second embodiment of the present
invention are structurally and functionally similar to those in the
first embodiment, they are not discussed in details herein.
[0039] The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment
in having two support strips 31. To assemble the supporting strips
31, the wind deflector strips 33 and the wiper strip 32 to one
another, first correspondingly engage the two support strips 31
with two corresponding grooves 321 on the two opposite lateral
sides of the wiper strip 32, and then slide the two support strips
31 into the wind deflector strips 33. Finally, connect the end caps
27 to two longitudinally opposite ends of the already assembled
wind deflector strips 33 and wiper strip 32, so that the elastic
locking elements 26 are engaged with and locked to the end caps 27
to thereby hold the end caps 27 to the support strips 31. The
clamping elements 24 in the first embodiment for clamping the
support strip 21 to the wiper strip 22 can therefore be
omitted.
[0040] The connection of the end cap 27 to one end of the support
strips 31 can also be understood by referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.
To connect the end cap 27 to the support strips 31, first compress
the two elastic arms 261 of the locking element 26 for them to move
toward each other and become aligned with the two spaces 274.
Thereafter, fit the end cap 27 on an outer end of the corresponding
guide rail 332 of the wind deflector strip 33 and then guide the
two elastic arms 261 through the two spaces 274 to the two notches
275, allowing two lateral outer sides of the two support strips 31
to locate in the end cap 27. At this point, one end of the already
assembled support strips 31 and wind deflector strip 33 can be
smoothly set in the shell 272 of the end cap 27. Then, the
compressed elastic arms 261 are released, allowing the elastic arms
261 to elastically spring outward to thereby move into and firmly
press against the two notches 275. With the two elastic arms 261
being separately engaged with the two notches 275, the end cap 27
is fixedly held to the support strips 31, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0041] Please refer to FIG. 11 that is an exploded perspective view
of a windshield wiper blade structure according to a third
embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the
windshield wiper blade structure includes a support strip 41, a
wiper strip 42, two wind deflector strips 43, two elastic locking
elements 26 and two end caps 27, a bracket 46, and a protective
cover 47. The wiper strip 42 is correspondingly formed at two
opposite lateral sides with a pair of longitudinally extended
grooves 421. Since the end caps 27 (referring to FIGS. 5 and 8),
the elastic locking elements 26 (referring to FIGS. 3 and 7), the
wiper strip 42, the wind deflector strips 43, the bracket 46, and
the protective cover 47 in the third embodiment of the present
invention are structurally and functionally similar to those in the
first embodiment, they are not discussed in details herein.
[0042] The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment
in the support strip 41 that includes a longitudinally extended
long slit 411. The long slit 411 is aligned with a centerline of
the support strip 41 to extend toward two longitudinally opposite
ends of the support strip 41. One of two opposite ends of the long
slit 411 extends through one of two ends of the support strip 41 to
forms an open end 412. The other end of the long slit 411 ends near
the other end of the support strip 41 without extending
therethrough, so that a stopper portion 413 is formed at the other
end of the support strip 41. With these arrangements, the support
strip 41 forms two parallelly extended long strip parts, which are
located at two opposite sides of the long slit 411 and connected to
each other only at the stopper portion 413. To assemble the wiper
strip 42 and the support strip 41 to each other, simply slide the
wiper strip 42 into the long slit 411 via the open end 412 with the
pair of grooves 421 separately engaging with the two long strip
parts of the support strip 41, so that the wiper strip 42 and the
support strip 41 are connected together.
[0043] The connection of the end cap 27 to one end of the support
strip 41 can also be understood by referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.
To connect the end cap 27 to the support strip 41, first compress
the two elastic arms 261 of the locking element 26 for them to move
toward each other and become aligned with the two spaces 274.
Thereafter, fit the end cap 27 on an outer end of the corresponding
guide rail 432 of the wind deflector strip 43 and then guide the
two elastic arms 261 through the two spaces 274 to the two notches
275, allowing two lateral outer sides of the support strip 41 to
locate in the end cap 27. At this point, one end of the already
assembled support strip 41 and wind deflector strip 43 can be
smoothly set in the shell 272 of the end cap 27. Then, the
compressed elastic arms 261 are released, allowing the elastic arms
261 to elastically spring outward to thereby move into and firmly
press against the two notches 275. With the two elastic arms 261
being separately engaged with the two notches 275, the end cap 27
is fixedly held to the support strip 41, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0044] Please refer to FIG. 12 that is an exploded perspective view
of a windshield wiper blade structure according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the
windshield wiper blade structure includes a support strip 51, a
wiper strip 52, two wind deflector strips 53, two elastic locking
elements 26 and two end caps 27, a bracket 56, and a protective
cover 57. Since the end caps 27 (referring to FIGS. 5 and 8), the
elastic locking elements 26 (referring to FIGS. 3 and 7), the wiper
strip 52, the wind deflector strips 53, the bracket 56, and the
protective cover 57 in the fourth embodiment of the present
invention are structurally and functionally similar to those in the
first embodiment, they are not discussed in details herein.
[0045] The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment
in the support strip 51 that includes an expanded through hole 511
and a longitudinally extended long slit 512. The expanded through
hole 511 is formed near one of two longitudinally opposite ends of
the support strip 51. The long slit 512 extends at two ends toward
the two longitudinally opposite ends of the support strip 51
without extending therethrough. However, one of the two ends of the
long slit 512 communicates with the expanded through hole 511. The
wiper strip 52 is correspondingly formed at two opposite lateral
sides with a pair of longitudinally extended grooves 521 and has a
wiping lip 522. The wiping lip 522 is made of a flexible material,
such as a rubber material. With the expanded through hole 511
formed at one end of the support strip 51, an end of the wiper
strip 52 can be pulled through the expanded through hole 511, so
that the wiper strip 52 can be then downward pressed through the
long slit 512 to engage the pair of grooves 521 with the portions
of the support strip 51 at two opposite sides of the long slit 512,
bringing the wiper strip 52 to be fixedly connected to the support
strip 51.
[0046] The connection of the end cap 27 to one end of the support
strip 51 can also be understood by referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.
To connect the end cap 27 to the support strip 51, first compress
the two elastic arms 261 of the locking element 26 for them to move
toward each other and become aligned with the two spaces 274.
Thereafter, fit the end cap 27 on an outer end of the corresponding
guide rail 532 of wind deflector strip 53 and then guide the two
elastic arms 261 through the two spaces 274 to the two notches 275,
allowing two lateral outer sides of the support strip 51 to locate
in the end cap 27. At this point, one end of the already assembled
support strip 51 and wind deflector strip 53 can be smoothly set in
the shell 272 of the end cap 27. Then, the compressed elastic arms
261 are released, allowing the elastic arms 261 to elastically
spring outward to thereby move into and firmly press against the
two notches 275. With the two elastic arms 261 being separately
engaged with the two notches 275, the end cap 27 is fixedly held to
the support strip 51, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0047] Please refer to FIG. 13 that is an exploded perspective view
of a windshield wiper blade structure according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, the
windshield wiper blade structure includes a support strip 61, a
wiper strip 62, two wind deflector strips 63, two elastic locking
elements 26 and two end caps 27, a bracket 66, and a protective
cover 67. Since the end caps 27 (referring to FIGS. 5 and 8), the
elastic locking elements 26 (referring to FIGS. 3 and 7), the
support strip 61, the wiper strip 62, the bracket 66, and the
protective cover 67 in the fifth embodiment of the present
invention are structurally and functionally similar to those in the
first embodiment, they are not discussed in details herein.
[0048] The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment
in the wind deflector strips 63, each of which includes a wind
deflecting section 631, an insertion channel 632, and two guide
rails 633. The insertion channel 632 is located between the wind
deflecting section 631 and the guide rails 633 for the support
strip 61 to insert thereinto. The wiper strip 62 is correspondingly
formed at two opposite lateral sides with a pair of longitudinally
extended grooves 621. To assemble the support strip 61, the wind
deflector strips 63 and the wiper strip 62 to one another, first
insert the support strip 61 into the insertion channels 632 on the
two wind deflector strips 63, so that the wind deflector strips 63
are fixedly connected to the support strip 61. Then, slide an end
of the wiper strip 62 into between the two guide rails 633, so that
the guide rails 633 are engaged with the pair of grooves 621,
bringing the wiper strip 62 to connect to the wind deflector strips
63 and locate below the support strip 61. In this manner, the
support strip 61, the wind deflector strips 63 and the wiper strip
62 are assembled together and held in place relative one
another.
[0049] The connection of the end cap 27 to one end of the support
strip 61 can also be understood by referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.
To connect the end cap 27 to the support strip 61, first compress
the two elastic arms 261 of the locking element 26 for them to move
toward each other and become aligned with the two spaces 274.
Thereafter, fit the end cap 27 on an outer end of the corresponding
guide rail 633 of wind deflector strip 63 and then guide the two
elastic arms 261 through the two spaces 274 to the two notches 275,
allowing two lateral outer sides of the support strip 61 to locate
in the end cap 27. At this point, one end of the already assembled
support strip 61 and wind deflector strip 63 can be smoothly set in
the shell 272 of the end cap 27. Then, the compressed elastic arms
261 are released, allowing the elastic arms 261 to elastically
spring outward to thereby move into and firmly press against the
two notches 275. With the two elastic arms 261 being separately
engaged with the two notches 275, the end cap 27 is fixedly held to
the support strip 61, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0050] When the wiper strip is subjected to elastic fatigue and
becomes aged, the windshield wiper blade structure of the present
invention advantageously allows a user to remove the aged wiper
strip from the support strip(s) simply by compressing the elastic
arms of each of the elastic locking elements toward each other to
release the elastic locking elements from the two end caps. That
is, in the windshield wiper blade structure of the present
invention, the end caps can be easily removed from two ends of the
support strip(s) and the wiper strip can be conveniently replaced
to reduce the user's maintenance and repair costs.
[0051] Another advantage provided by the present invention is the
end caps and the elastic locking elements can be used with
differently designed support strip(s) and wind deflector strips,
allowing the present invention to be applied to different types of
windshield wiper blade products.
[0052] The present invention has been described with some preferred
embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and
modifications in the described embodiments can be carried out
without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention
that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.
* * * * *